Cutting cedar posts for porch

[texan16]

Have to replace 2 cedar posts on the back porch. Went out in the pasture today and cut two cedars to use for the posts. Will skin em and prep em to go on the porch. Question is, how do I cut the ends to make em flush/level/square ? Got to be a way besides just “ eyeballing “ it. Give me some insight.

[easeup]

a tape measure gets them the correct length. but cut them long first to stand up for a look. they are never true top to bottom on the center line so you have to pick the side to show so it looks true

[texan16]

a tape measure gets them the correct length. but cut them long first to stand up for a look. they are never true top to bottom on the center line so you have to pick the side to show so it looks true

Got the tape measure part figured out, have cut posts 6-7” longer than they need to be. Has to be a “smart way” to cut them to exact length (8’6”) and have them fit flush top/bottom.

[Burnadell]

Use a square and cut them at 90 degrees on each end. Easy peasy!

[WalkieTalkie]

make a jig with 2x6 ,and T square ends and fit the cedar post. Id cut them a little long before making the the final cut with precision

[texan16]

make a jig with 2x6 ,and T square ends and fit the cedar post. Id cut them a little long before making the the final cut with precision

Good idea, thanks

[Rafter S]

Lay them on a piece of plywood. Run two 2x6,s on the side of the post ( 1 per side) and screw them down so they form a cradle. Then cut to length with a hand saw butted up against the ends of the 2x6,s

[texan16]

Lay them on a piece of plywood. Run two 2x6,s on the side of the post ( 1 per side) and screw them down so they form a cradle. Then cut to length with a hand saw butted up against the ends of the 2x6,s

Another good idea, thanks.

[bowsticker]

make a jig with 2x6 ,and T square ends and fit the cedar post. Id cut them a little long before making the the final cut with precision

This

[COACH_EM_UP]

Table saw or a compound mitre saw.

[texan16]

These are 25” circumference and will be 8.5 ‘ long. Think they are too big to put on table saw and/mitre.

[Dillakilla]

Lay them on a piece of plywood. Run two 2x6,s on the side of the post ( 1 per side) and screw them down so they form a cradle. Then cut to length with a hand saw butted up against the ends of the 2x6,s

This sounds like best idea so far.

[Burnadell]

These are 25” circumference and will be 8.5 ‘ long. Think they are too big to put on table saw and/mitre.

Whoa! I did not realize they would be this large. Now I see why it is a concern.

[clay4626]

if you had someone with a12 inch radial arm saw and had some help
you would be able to turn the post about a quarter of turn on each pass and
should be able to get them pretty square

[TD2000]

Place cedar post in upside down and it gives you more room to adjust and secure with thicker circumference on top

We built a pavilion with cedar post this way and it has great look